Collapsible bier or coffin-truck.



M. H. SMITH.

OOLLAPSIBLE BIER 9R oorrm TRUCK. u APPLICATION FILED MAY 8, 1911.1,032,630, Patented July 16, 1912.

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. Q r N I I all 18/ a/ I I I i M. H. SMITH GOLLAPSIBLE BIER 0R OOFFINTRUCK. APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1911.

1,032,630. 1 Patented July 16, 1912.

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IINITED STATES PATENT @FFIQE.

MARK H. SMITH, 0F LANSING, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 1'0 KORFF MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, OF LANSING, MICHIGAN.

GOLLAIE'SIBLE BIER 0R OOFFIN-TRUCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 8, 1911.

Patented July 16, 1912. Serial No. 625,841.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARK H. SMiTH, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Lansing, county of Ingham, State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Biersor Coffin-Trucks of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible biers or coliintrucks.

The objects of the invention are to provide a very compact and efiicientcollapsible structure, and such a structure in which the folding top iseffectively adjustable so that the device can be made use of for acooling board or bier, and also for a coffin or casket truck.

Objects pertaining to economies and details of construction willdefinitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustratedin the accom' panying drawing, forming a part of this specification, inwhich:

Figure I is a side elevation view of a structure embodying the featuresof my invention. Fig. II is a plan view of the structure. Fig. III is:an enlarged detail transverse sectional view taken on a linecorresponding to line 33 of Fig. II. Fig. IV is an enlarged detailinverted plan View of the folding top. Fig. V is a perspective view ofthe collapsible frame in closed position. Fig. VI is a detail viewshowing the folding top in its folded position. Fig. VII is a detailsectional view on a line corresponding to line 77 of Fig. IV, showingthe method of attaching the mesh wire frame to the collapsible frame.Fig VIII is an enlarged detail sectional view on a line corresponding toline 88 of Fig. III, showing the method of securing the top to thecollapsible frame. In the drawing, the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines,and similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawings, the opposite ends of myimproved collapsible bier or coffin truck are identical and symmetricalleg sections, each consisting of a pair of legs 11 connected by an integral cross bar 2, formed from angle iron.

These leg sections are suitably braced by diagonal braces 3 and 1, asclearly appears in Fig. V. The leg sections are coupled to get-her bypairs of lazy tongs 5. The lower ends of the end links of the lazy tongsare pivoted at 66 to these leg sections, and the upwardlyprojectinglinks at each end are provided with sliding pins 7-7 which slidinglyengage in vertical slots 88 in the said end sections. It will thus beseen, as the leg sections are moved to and from each other, that theyare supported in an upright position.

The top or coolingboard is made up of frame sections 9 and 10 hingedtogether at 11 by a sort of rule joint so that the said top opens to theflat position only. The elevation of one end of this top is adjustable.Downwardly-projecting arms 12 are rigidly secured to each side and areprovided with vertical slots 13. An attaching bar 15 rests on the top ofthe leg section at that end and is provided with thumb screws 14 foradjusting the said end by engaging the rigid bar 12 through the slot 13,this being a simple and eificient construction.

The attaching bar 15 is positively engaged by the upwardly-projectingpins 16 on the top of the leg section, which pins enter perforations 17in the said attaching bar. This bar is embraced and effectively clampedin place by the spring clip 18, which is pivoted to the bar 15 at 19,and has an outwardly turned finger hold 20 for manipulating the same, sothat when the bar 15 is placed on the top bar 2 of the leg section andthis clip, which has frictional engage ment, is swung to place, the partis very securely joined. A bar 21 exactly similar to the bar 15 isrigidly secured by bolts or rivets 21 to the opposite end of the top andis attached by identical means to the top bar of the leg section at thatend. As these parts are identical, it is not deemed necessary toillustrate them further.

The top is effectively locked in position and the whole structure isvery staunch if there is weight on the top.

The frame-like sections 9 and 10 of the top, as before stated, arejoined together by a rule joint 11, so that the board is supported inthe level position, the rule joint being on the under side. Each ofthese sections 9 and 10 is made of angle iron, with the open spaceprojecting downwardly and inwardly, as clearly appears from Figs. IIIand VII.

In the space beneath the horizontal flange and within the verticalflange, rod frames 23 carrying the mesh cross wires 22, or othersuitable open material constituting the support, are provided. Theseframes are held in position by the hooked pin 24: extending up throughthe horizontal flange, as clearly appears in Fig. VII.

The whole structure is supported on suit able casters 25, which readilyfacilitate the manipulation of the same, and when the top is inposition, makes a very staunch truck. The structure, however,'is quiteeffective for many uses without the casters. It is not, however,available as a truck.

Where a short top is made use of, it need not be collapsible, and when along top is made use of, it can be made in more than two sections, withhinges at the joint. These are simple modifications which I do not deemit necessary to illustrate. The structure I have shown is especiallywell adapted to the collapsible top of the open work body, as the sameis substantially unobstructed, a thing very desirable in a coolingboard. Such top can be considerably modified.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination with apedestal comprising horizontal top bars; upwardly projecting pins on thetop of said horizontal top bars;

a top; attaching cross bars connect-ed to the under side of said top,said cross bars being adapted to rest on said top bars and suitablyperforated to receive the said pins, the ends of one of said attachingbars being turned upwardly; slotted arms at one end of said top; thumbscrews carried by the upturned ends of said attaching bar to engage thesaid slotted arms; and clips for securing said attaching bars to the topbars of said pedestal.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination with apedestal comprising horizontal top bars; upwardly projecting pins onsaid top bars; a top; attaching bars connected to the under side of saidtop and adapted to rest on said top bars; an adjustable connectionbetween one of said attaching bars and the top; and clips pivoted to thecross bars to embrace the same and said horizontal top bars.

3. In a structure of the class described, a pedestal comprisinghorizontal top bars having upwardly projecting pins thereon; a topprovided with attaching cross bars adapt-ed to rest on said top barsperforated to receive said pins; and clips for detachably securing thecross bars to said top bars.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

CHARLOTTE BURTON, FRANCIS Konrr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

